Top 5 free agent quarterbacks for 2015

If you haven't seen it already, we've revealed the top 25 free agents in the 2015 class. One interesting note: not a single quarterback cracked the list. As we begin our free agent series notes, we start none other than at the quarterback position. Upwards of 11 teams could be in the market to upgrade at that position this offseason.

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top 5 nfl free agent quarterbacks 2015

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Top 5 free agent quarterbacks for 2015

5. Michael Vick

At 34 years old, Vick’s best days are far behind him. In three starts in 2014 with the Jets, he completed below 56 percent of his passes for 404 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. That’s a normal day at work for someone like Andrew Luck.

At this juncture in his career, Vick no longer offers the dual-threat ability that at least made him an intriguing option. Vick topped 40 yards rushing once this season, so any team wanting to take a flier on him must be conscious he’s solely a passer now.

Vick’s best bet is to land in a situation like his in New York, where he’s a capable No. 2 and a mentor to a younger starter.

(Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

4. Ryan Mallett

Sitting behind Tom Brady for most of his pro career, Mallett finally got an opportunity to start in Houston, but the stint was short-lived. Mallett started two games before a pectoral injury cost him the 2014 season, and as a free agent this spring he’ll have another chance to try and find another starting opportunity.

In two games, Mallett passed for 400 yards, two touchdowns and two picks with a QBR of 48.19. But he looked comfortable in Bill O’Brien’s up-tempo offense when he got his shot in Week 11.

The bill is not yet out on Mallett, and a return to Houston should not be ruled out. He was a highly touted recruit and college football player, and because of his raw skill-set should command some suitors on the market.

(Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

3. Jake Locker

Arguably the biggest gamble of the free-agent class this offseason, the former first-round pick has been a tease throughout his career, flashing signs of being a capable NFL quarterback but also an injury risk every time he steps onto the field.

In four NFL seasons, Locker has started 23 games while missing 25. When healthy, he’s turned in 27 touchdown passes compared to 22 interceptions, and a career passer rating of 79.0, which isn’t too shabby considering the weapons he’s had around him.

Ken Whisenhunt may decide Locker isn’t the right fit for the Titans in 2015, but if another team can overlook his injury past and focus on the statistics, Locker could be one of the biggest surprises this offseason. He’s only 26 years old with a lot of football ahead of him.

(Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

2. Brian Hoyer

The much-maligned Browns quarterback was first thought to be deserving of an extension midway through the year, then was benched in favor of Johnny Manziel. A mediocre start to the season was met only by immense struggles down the stretch, inevitably costing him his job in favor of the rookie.

Overall, Hoyer passed for 3,326 yards, 12 touchdowns with 13 picks in 13 starts in Cleveland this year, finishing with a QBR of 43.08. He proved he doesn’t have that playmaking ability, and at best he’s a high-upside game manager.

That kind of skill-set doesn’t intrigue many NFL contenders, but perhaps he’s a stop-gap kind of player for teams such as Tennessee or New York that might be drafting Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota. He’s also a fallback option for the Browns, who still have a muddled situation at the quarterback position to this day.

(Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

1. Mark Sanchez

Well, this isn’t exactly the best crop of free-agent quarterbacks if Sanchez is headlining the list. The former No. 5 overall pick had a rocky season in Philadelphia, being thrust into the starting role once Nick Foles went down due to injury.

In eight starts, Sanchez went 4-4, completing 64 percent of his passes for 2,418 yards, 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Early on, Sanchez thrived in Chip Kelly’s quarterback-proof offense, but struggled against the league’s elite defenses such as Green Bay, Seattle and Dallas.

The Eagles’ system certainly helped Sanchez step into a new light, but the inconsistency issues that plagued him with the Jets again reared their head. At 28, some team may still think they can help him reach his potential.